Jcarlson

And here I thought I was the only one on the planet that did not have a FB account!! I had one a few years ago for about a year and gave it up for many reasons - 1) I work in the corporate world. I don't need my bosses and co-workers knowing what I did in highschool/college/last weekend. If I want them to know I'll tell certain people - not my CEO. 2) I'm a programmer by profession and am on a computer all day. The last thing I want to do when I get home is spend hours upon hours accepting drink tokens, reading other people's lame shit, turning down friend requests from dirtbags I don't know, etc. 3) Seemed I had more highschool friends on FB than I did in highschool. Granted I was in HS back in the late 70's and it's been a long time since we spoke, but you didn't want to be my friend when I needed friends the most, so why do you want to be my friend now? Go phuck yourself!!! 4) Most importantly and deep heartedly I found that some connections were better left disconnected. Nuf said about that one. I'm not on Twitter nor Linkedin either. Too many bad things happen with social networking.

Westerville lost power til about 10:30 pm Friday. Some patches here and there still out but mostly up and running. The problem we're having up here is people coming in from elsewhere that have no power. People driving 30-40 miles to go to McDonalds, laundrymat, gas station, Giant Eagle. The reason it's a problem is because it's already choas and those that drove for an hour or so are getting pissed at the chaos. For the most part people are goosd about it but you get the few that think that because they drove so far that they get special treatment. Everyone just needs to take a pill and relax. I know it sucks but we'll all get there. Traffic lights are a big problem too. No one is treating them as four way stops. Everyone has the "Me First" attitude. It's like the Keystone Cops out there (if you're old enough to know who the Keystone Cops are). For those that don't click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx9Tovevx6w&feature=player_detailpage

CRAP!! I posted in the wrong place like a doof wad. Can someone move me to the right fourm please? Thanks Jim

I ride 670-270 everyday to work downtown from Westerville. Going in is easy but coming home at 4:00pm - man it's freaking dangerous. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not wussin out, but when cars finally get through the construction on 670E man they come out of there like horses out of the starting gate. I enter 670E from 71N and you've gotta be on your game. It's too packed, everyone is jockeying for position, some are going the posted 45 other trying to go 80, cuttin in and out. Then just as I try to move to the left lane right around 5th ave curve everyone seems to need to slam on the brakes to go around that curve. Once around the back of the airport you hit that straight away. Jam it on up to 65-70, trying to keep a buffer of 3-4 car lengths so you don't ride up someone's ass when they slam on the brakes at 70, some dip shit think I keep that gap so THEY can cut me off and hit the brakes. Coming around the ramp from 670E to 270N it's a blind curve with the bridges and trees and such. As soon as I get into my left hand lean BAM!! Brake lights again!! I come down tha ramp to 270N and I swear everyone thinks they need to change lanes 25 ft before the lanes merge. And of course when 7 cars try to do that all at once MORE BRAKE LIGHTS at 55mph!! WTF people??? Once you get past Easton it's smooth sailing the rest of the way to Westerville. By the time I get home I feel the way Bill the Cat looks. It's almost so freakin dangerous that it's not even an enjoyable ride. I'm on the defensive 10 out of 17 miles and it sucks!! I've resorted to taking Sunbury Rd or Stelzer Rd home but then it's a 45 minute trip cuz of stop and go traffic - BUT I'll make it home in one piece!! I'm off my soap box now. Thanks for letting me vent.

Anybody ever been there? I'm thinking of taking a ride up with the wife some weekend and was just wondering if it's worth the trip. Let me know either way good, bad, or indifferent. Thanks Jim

Yeah I did, not that it's a big deal. Read it again. "The engine stalls out, gas dumping out of the tank, headlight shining up in the air - WTF just happened?"

Tonik - I've seen that video and thought about doing that, but gas had spilled right where I'd need to plant my foot so that would not have worked - but for future FYI it's good to know. Thanks Cheech - nah, it's still worth more than that. Only $100 repair DIY. I'll sell you the GS850 in my signature for $1500. Runs great, just won't keep a charge :0( LOL

Thanks for the well wishes guys! I guess the only thing that really got hurt was my pride and ego :0(

I'm pulling into the parking garage at work this morning on my 06 Kawi Concours, loop around to the MC parking area, feathering the clutch in 1st gear. I'm kinda walking it a bit starting to turn right to bring it online and BLAM!!!!! Down she goes. 600 lbs of steel and plastic drops to the floor. Before I could realize what was happenning I bailed out and jumped out of the way. Thank God for hard saddle bags or I'd have a broken leg right now. The engine stalls out, gas dumping out of the tank, headlight shining up in the air - WTF just happened? Standing there, feeling like a total douche bag, now I'm trying to figure out how I'm getting that thing back on two wheels. The dude in the little booth in the garage comes over and helped me right it. There doesn't seem to be any damage other than some scratches on the bag and my pride shattered all over the floor. Then I see it. My right side foot peg is broken off and laying on the floor. Great!! NOW what the hell do I do? I called Iron Pony and ordered a new one (they're a Kawasaki dealer now) and had all day to figure out how to get home. At the end of the day I drove it home using the right rear peg and only my front brake. I didn't take the highway because I didn't want to have to jam on the front brakes at 75, so I took the back roads home. It wasn't too bad, just a little weird on the right turns. It's gonna take 4 days for the new peg to come in. I guess I'll just have to enjoy the sunny weather on four wheels instead of two. I can't believe I dropped it!! Whadda moron!!

Pay no attention to the speed limit rating. That's just CYA like someone said. Moneyless - go to any Uhaul center and they can hook you up. I'm a bit confused though with their website. It says you can tow any trailer with your corolla but I know better than that. no way are you hauling a 6x12 with that car, but you could probably do the 5x9 - definately the 4x7. Get a class I frame hitch. Its rated for 2000 lbs. You'll also need a 2" ball and 4-way flat wiring which they can install everything for you for around $250. When it comes to towing it's not about if your car can pull it or not, but rather can you stop in a hurry if needed. If you jam on your brakes with a 3500 lb trailer behind you it's going to take a while to stop if you don't jack knife or flip over first.

Is someone cooking Bacon? I smell Bacon!!

I bet mam was trying to get he fawn across the road. She hung around for an awfully long time. I've had similar situations over on Rad Bank Rd on the other side of Hoover res. They come out of nowhere!! Scare the crap right out of me.

I know many of you knew this but many of you don't. Uhaul has two size trailers that they've converted to handle MC's. The first is a small 4x7 garden trailer with ramp. It was originally designed for hauling riding mowers, tillers, snowblowers, etc, but they've modified them by putting a wheel chock in the front center. These are big enough to handle almost any size bike and can be towed with a Class I, II, or III hitch. I've rented this many times and it's great. These rent for $14.95/day. http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=MT The other they have modified is the 5x9 ramp trailer. This one is a bit more heavy duty as it's designed for heavier equipment. Once again a wheel chock has been added so most any bike will fit - except maybe a chopper. These rent for $24.95/day. http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=RT So why am I telling you this? No, I don't work for Uhaul. I'm just sharing information I've gathered with anyone who might have wondered the same thing - "Who the F*** rents bike trailers?" My wife and I are taking a trip to the Adirondacks next month and we wanted to bring our bikes. We needed a trailer that could handle a Kawasaki Concours and a Vstar 650, plus luggage, etc. I searched every place I could think of and even started a thread on here trying to find a place that rents MC trailers. I quickly found that no one does because the liability is too high. I knew Uhaul did because I had rented from them before, but given the distance we are driving I wanted to find a lighter trailer. No such luck so it's Uhaul all the way, and that's fine. Not knowing for sure if both bikes would fit in a 5x9 I rented one today just to do a test fit/dry run. I didn't want to wait until the day of vacation to find they didn't fit. That would have sucked big time. They both fit no problem. I had to stay pretty close to the sides when driving them up, and getting in and out was like climbing onto a bull in the stall, but it wasn't too bad. Tieing them to the D-rings was a little tricky because one wheel is in the way, the other fork is in the way, blah, blah, blah, but I made it work and cinched them down tight. I had to load the Concours on the left side because the Vstar leans a lot more since it's a cruiser. I placed a chunk of 2x4 under the Vstar kickstand to keep it more upright which gave me plenty of room to get in there to tie it down. Both bikes loaded and still lots of room at the back for luggage, cooler, or whatever. Click the attached thumb to see. I just wanted to share this with anyone who may be looking to haul their ride to the shop, Sturgis, Myrtle, Daytona, or wherever. Thanks for reading and happy riding! Jim

IMHO it should be double yellow the entire way. Too narrow, too dangerous, no place to bail if things go wrong.

An update in today's Dispatch gave his name - 34 yr old James Wiggins of New Albany. It also said he was with another unnamed rider. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/04/crash-victim-was-new-albany-man.html To both riders and families - we fellow Ohio Riders pray for you and your families for the terrible suffering and sacrifices you must endure. We pray God blesses you and keeps you safe from further harm. We pray that James' soul rests peacefully in God's eternal grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

I took a ride over there this morning just to see whatever. I came from County Line Rd, crossed Sunbury and headed over the bridge. I noticed several things. 1) Only part of the bridge has water under it. Coming from Sunbury Rd towards the big hill, the bridge arches to allow boats to pass underneath. This area is double yellow lines. 2) The other half of the bridge is flat and level and is built on a man made Earthen dam type outcropping. Where the arch and the level surface meet coming from Sunbury Rd, it changes from double yellow to solid/broken yellow allowing passing from the east bound lane. This is the lane the rider was in. 3) It then changes to double broken yellow allowing passing for both East and west bound traffic. 4) It then changes to solid/broken yellow for west bound passing, then back to double yellow to the top of the hill. In the east bound lane about half way across I noticed two really dark skid marks from a car. Now, I don't know what this means - 1) They could have been there and mean nothing to this accident. 2) The car could have jammed on his brakes for some reason and the rider dodged to the left to avoid him but was hit by oncoming traffic. 3) The rider passed the car, hit the other car, and the car that was passed jammed on his brakes to avoid the car/bike collision. Also, the time stamp on the news report says 11:37pm or something but this actually occurred around 8:00 pm last night. So, it was still daylight, the sun would be setting behind the rider but would be right in the oncoming driver's eyes. Speculate as you will. All we know is sadly, someone didn't make it home last night. I ride that road all the time. My wife and I love going over the water. It's nice a cool, great view, and a psuedo hill climb at the end. We also love coming down that hill as well. Some times we're hitting speeds of 60+mph depending on traffic, sun setting, etc. However, given the narrowness of the road, no shoulder except an 8" curb and a guardrail, never would I pass on that bridge. A windgust, water on the tar snakes, debris, whatever is all it takes for something like this to occur. Call me a pussy if you want. I'm a big guy, I can take it, but I'd like to ride again tomorrow. Jim

A rider tried to pass a car on the double yellow two lane bridge over Hoover Res. last night. He hit an oncoming car head on. He and the bike went over the car and into the water. He died later at St. Ann's. What do you say to that? I drive that bridge all the time. It's narrow, 45 mph. I would never think of passing on it in a million years. I'm sorry for all involved that it happened, but gee whiz!! I was there as I live nearby. There were sirens coming from all directions and it was non-stop for about 15-20 minutes. Curious I drove down to the plaza at Sunbury & County Line Rds where the bridge is. Of course the bridge was closed and there was rescue equipment the entire length of the bridge - typical for reports of people in the water. I saw three ambulances leave with light and sirens going. The rider died and the two people in the car were taken to Riverside with minor injuries. The rider's name has not been released pending notification of his family. http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/jun/02/motorcycle-head-crash-car-bridge-ar-1057970/

Sorry guys, not to beat a dead horse but the Stator aint it. I replaced it today and it still isn't recharging. R/R has been replaced too. I put a fully charged, good battery on it, it started just fine, ran about 5 minutes then shut it off. Waited one minute and started it again. Ran for a few minutes and shut it off. Waited five minutes and tried tostart but battery didn't have enough charge. Waited 30 minutes and it started. Shut it down, wont start now. I'm at wit's end with this thing. I don't know what else to do shy of replace everything part by part until I solve it. Anyone wanting to stop by and help, PM me and I'll give you my address. Jim

I'm a 670E-270N traveller and people in cars are fucking ruthless - especially coming out of the orange barrel rodeo, 5th ave curve, behind the airport, and the ramp where 670 & 270N merge by Easton. Riding my ass, cutting me off then jammin and the brakes because they're too fucking arrogant to drive like a human being. And they wonder why I keep 4-5 car distance - it aint so they can take it. Don't like how I ride? I don't give a shit. I'd like to make it home today. Thanks for letting me vent!! Jim

You live to ride another day my friend!!

Well folks its confirmed. Its the Stator. I did the checks as per Clymers. At 5k RPM I got 12.97V at the battery - should have gotten 14-15.5V. I did the no load test on the stator and got no reading whatsoever. I did that test three times and got the big goose egg everytime. I know some of you suggested this a few posts ago. I was hoping that wasn't it because it just didn't make sense plus I just replaced it with a brand new one two years ago. I'll bet it doesn't even have 500 miles on. But, it is an aftermarket stator so you never know. I pusrchased another from a different source this time. It'll be here in a few days so I should ahve it in by next week. Hopefully that solves my problems. Once again thanks to all who chimed in. You help and suggestions were greatly appreciated. Time to put this thead to rest!! Jim

Mello Dude - it'll run. It runs great actually for a 30 year old bike. I'm wanting to test the stator/RR but that's a three handed operation and I don't have that, but it's on my to-do list for sure. That's a large part of the problem. It's not recharging while running, but it also just draws juice while not running with the key on. I know it should draw juice without running (lights and whatnot) but not so much to where it won't crank the starter enough. It'll start and run on full charge, but shut it off and I'm done - not enough juice after that. But I'll check stator/RR when I get the chance. Jim

Ok Max. That'll be my agenda for tomorrow night. Thanks!! Jim

Here is what I found today. There are three plugs in the wiring harness up front. One is the starter/kill button, one is the turn signal/hi beam/horn, the third is the gauges. Starting at square one - battery with key off has 12.47V. Key on it drops to 11.8xV very quickly. Key off it slowly climbs back to 12.47V. Unplug gauges. Key on volts drop very quickly. Reconnect gauges. Unplug turn/horn/ hi beam. Key on same thing - drops very quickly. reconnect turn/horn/hi beam. Unplug starter/kill button. Key on it drops very slowly from 12.47V to 12.20V before I turn key off. Reconnect starter/kill button. Now that everything is back to normal, just for kicks I turn key on it drops very quickly from 12.47V to 11.8xV. One more thing - I did NOT unplug gauges and turn at same time. I guess I should have just to get a full test. I don't know didly about electrical but I'm guessing it's either the starter/kill button or something in that circuit - button, solenoid, starter, coils. Any thoughts? Jim

Battery ground wire is new last year so I know that one is clean, but I have give to due diligence so I'll check it too. I had the battery checked at Advance Auto and Iron Pony. It's a Bikemaster Gel battery. Advance's machine said 12.6V and 174 CCA. I.P. parts counter had a voltmeter as old as my bike but it read 12+V as well. So, all is clear on the Western Front as far as that goes. Tomorrow is a new day so I'll keep on digging. I'll strike oil yet!! Jim